Sunday, June 9, 1996
Anxious parents, grads can relax in anticipation of dayBy Toni Dimayuga
Daily Bruin Contributor
Take a breath and relax.
Graduation is a time when parents, friends and loved ones gather to celebrate the culmination of many years of hard work.
However, the anticipation of the event can leave both parents and their respective grads anxious for the day to run smoothly.
Some parents who have general questions regarding the event relied on their offspring to get the answers.
"I think they're really proud and happy but they've left the work to me," said Kamille Maslon, a third-year graduating psychology student.
Questions such as if there are enough guest tickets, what hotel to stay in, if there is enough parking and where the ceremony is going to be held run through the minds of parents and students alike.
One of the concerns regarding graduation is ticket distribution. Because of restrictions on capacity, all graduating seniors are guaranteed four tickets. If extras were needed, a student could have entered a lottery that gives up to two additional tickets, said Michelle Elliott, Letters and Science commencement coordinator.
However, some students required more than what the lottery could offer. Marya Miyamoto, a fifth-year biology student, explained that she needed four extra tickets for her large family.
Miyamoto said that she has yet to hear from the Central Ticket Office about the lottery and worries that she may have to choose between family members.
"Considering there's such a large student body, I understand that's the most efficient way to distribute tickets, but it's still frustrating," Miyamoto said. "I wish there was another way to get tickets."
Elliott said that the extra tickets are not for sale but students can give them to fellow students, provided that they are in the same department.
Some grads opt to buy or sell tickets unconventionally, like Erica-Sharon Parris, a fifth-year sociology student who placed a "for sale" ad in the Bruin classified section. Others post flyers on campus.
Parris, whose parents are unable to attend her commencement, explained that she is selling her four tickets simply because she needs the money.
Once tickets are distributed, parents and students are still faced with the actual event. But officials said they will have little to worry about since the Commencement Office and other event personnel have made plans for the ceremonies to proceed without confusion.
To aid their families in finding a place to stay while in town, graduating seniors were provided with a list of hotels around the Westwood and Brentwood areas that offer commencement discounts, Elliott said.
In addition, commuters who fear a parking crunch can feel at ease, said Penny Menton, associate director of Transportation Services. She explained that great measures have been taken to ensure that guests have no problems finding a parking space on that special day, citing the success of the May 30 Hippocratic Oath ceremony as an example.
"We take a lot of time and effort to make sure everything goes smoothly," Menton said.
Transportation Services' responsibilities involve working with commencement offices to know each graduation schedule and map out the best parking structures with signs to direct drivers.
And to prevent the frustrating task of finding a space, Menton added that when an area fills up, parking attendants will direct drivers to a nearby, predetermined structure.
But some students must attend more than one graduation ceremony. Miyamoto said that her family's assigned parking spot is near the biology reception in the Botany building. However, the Life Sciences ceremony is at the Los Angeles Tennis Center, which is too far for her grandfather to walk.
For those who need to go to two locations, Menton said Parking Services will accommodate by providing two parking spots, obtainable at various campus information booths.
With all confusion aside, Parris believes that careful planning is necessary since graduation is more for the benefit of parents and other loved ones than for the students themselves.
"It's a celebration for family. Other than that, it's just another day," Parris said. "(But) I'll plan on walking, getting the cap and gown, getting the ring ... It still comes down to your parents."